Honorable Minister, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD&C) Md. Tajul Islam, MP said that he will play a pivotal role in the speedy passing of the draft Tobacco Control Law finalized by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHF&W) with the aim to create a tobacco-free Bangladesh declared by the Honorable Prime Minister. The honorable Minister said this while speaking as the Chief Guest at a discussion meeting organized by the Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) at the Six Seasons Hotel in the capital on Thursday, October 27 at 10:00 a.m. titled “What should be done to amend the draft tobacco control law as declared by the Prime Minister to build a tobacco-free Bangladesh by 2040”.
He also said that LGDR&C Ministry also working to materialize the honorable Prime Minister’s declaration. A guideline for the implementation of tobacco control activities for Local Government Institutions (LGIs) has also been developed. He added that “I believe the tobacco control bill will be passed soon as this is the declaration of honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. I will do all sorts of cooperation to make the country tobacco-free by 2040”.
Professor Dr. AFM Ruhal Haque, MP and former State Minister of Youth and Sports and Member, Standing Committee on Ministry of Youth and Sports Biren Shikder, MP was the Special Guest in the discussion meeting. Professor Dr. AFM Ruhal Haque, MP said that tobacco is a dangerous and harmful product. For this reason, I strongly support the initiative taken by the Ministry of Health to protect the future generation by drafting the amendment to the Tobacco Control law.
Biren Shikder, MP said, “We are working to create a tobacco-free Bangladesh of the Honorable Prime Minister.” We have come a long way; we have to go further. Tobacco has nothing to gain but harm. So tobacco must be discouraged. He also said that he will provide the necessary support to amend the Tobacco Control Law.
Mr.Hosen Ali Khandkar, Coordinator, National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC) and Additional Secretary, Health Services Division, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Selim Reza, Chief Executive Officer (Additional Secretary), Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Abdus Salam Miah, Grants Manager, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) was discussants in the meeting. Brigadier General Dr. Jobaidur Rahman, Chief Health Officer (CHO) of DNCC, Jalal Ahmed, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Bangladesh Railway and Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam also spoke in the meeting.
Iqbal Masud, Director, Health and WASH Sector of DAM presided over the meeting and Md Mukhlesur Rahman, Deputy Director, Health Sector of DAM presented the keynote speech. Other representatives from different anti-tobacco organizations participated in the meeting.